NEWS STORIES

JANUARY 2014

Farm women volunteers involved in the CommonGround program, along with state and national staff, met in St. Louis to share their experiences with the program and welcome new members last week. Over the course of three days, the participants worked intensively on the tools that they use to share their personal story and that of modern farming with urban and suburban moms through sessions on social media, public speaking and …

Corn farmers from across the country traveled to Washington this week to take part in the second phase of the annual leadership development programs co-sponsored by the National Corn Growers Association and Syngenta. The Leadership At Its Best attendees were joined by participants in Advanced Leadership, also co-sponsored by Syngenta, for a separate program offering high-level training for a select group of Leadership At Its Best graduates. While in town, …

The National Corn Growers Association thanked members of the House of Representatives for quick passage today of the 2014 farm bill, the Agricultural Act of 2014. The bill passed the lower chamber with a 251-166 vote. “We’re thrilled to see today’s action on the part of the House and look forward to an equally fast consideration in the Senate,” said NCGA President Martin Barbre, who observed the floor vote …

The National Corn Growers Association this week kicked off the inaugural class of its NCGA DuPont New Leaders Program, with farming couples and individuals from 17 states braving cold weather and travel snafus coming to Des Moines, Iowa, for an immersion in leadership, communications and social media training. The program is sponsored by DuPont, with representatives from DuPont Pioneer and DuPont Crop Protection on-hand to welcome the growers. “There …

The following is a statement from National Corn Growers President Martin Barbre on President Barack Obama’s 2014 State of the Union Address: “It was great to hear President Obama talk about the importance of an ‘all-of-the-above’ energy policy. And you can’t have such a policy without biofuels. So, we call on his Administration to back away from its irresponsible proposal to reduce the Renewable Fuel Standard, a program that …

The National Corn Growers Association today submitted comments to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, formally opposing its proposal to slash the amount of corn ethanol required in the Renewable Fuel Standard and citing the severe economic and environmental ramifications potential action. With a midnight (Eastern Standard Time) deadline looming, NCGA calls upon all members, farmers and their allies to join them in support of the RFS by submitting personal comments. …

The following is a statement from National Corn Growers President Martin Barbre on the Agricultural Act of 2014, released by the House-Senate conference committee: “We appreciate the hard work of the committee, especially Sens. Debbie Stabenow and Thad Cochran and Reps. Frank Lucas and Collin Peterson, for crafting a balanced compromise that ensures market-oriented reforms and effective risk management tools. Their work, and that of many of their colleagues, …

The National Corn Growers Association launched the newest version of www.ncga.com today. The redesigned version of the website will allow users to find desired information more easily on an attractive platform that will offer an improved overall experience. It also is optimized for the growing number of tablet and smartphone users. The site, which continues to offer information on membership, policy, programs and activities, will also provide a …

Jan. 23: Today, ethanol supporters gathered in Iowa to take part in “Hearing in the Heartland: Supporting the Renewable Fuels Standard,” hosted by Governor Terry Branstad in Des Moines. This day-long event features testimony from both state and federal legislators, regulators and administrators from Iowa, Indiana, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada and South Dakota, as well as leadership from agribusiness and from farmer-leaders active at the state and national levels. The …

Jan. 23: The following is a statement from National Corn Growers Association President Martin Barbre on Senate and House letters to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, stressing the importance of preserving the Renewable Fuel Standard: “We thank the senators and representatives who have stood up for American agriculture and the importance of domestic, renewable ethanol. Slashing the amount of ethanol in our nation’s fuel supply at this time is …

Jan. 22: In light of ongoing disruptions of corn shipments to China, the National Corn Growers Association urges members to examine the traits approved in export markets prior to planting. With current gaps in trait approvals abroad, farmers should make well-informed planting decisions to avoid potentially difficult situations should elevators again decide not to accept corn with these traits at harvest. NCGA offers Know Before You Grow, an online …

Jan. 22: Last night, thousands of farmers from across the country were dialed in for a town hall via telephone, hosted by the National Corn Growers Association. The teleconference highlighted the need to reverse the EPA’s proposed reduction in corn ethanol volumes for 2014 under the Renewable Fuel Standard. The event, which lasted about 30 minutes, included remarks from NCGA President Martin Barbre, a farmer from Carmi, Ill.; U.S. …

Jan. 21: Register for the National Corn Growers Association’s 2014 Corn Utilization and Technology Conference today to take advantage of exclusive savings. The biennial event, which will be held June 2-4 in Louisville, Ky., will feature the cutting-edge technologies and new uses that continually improve and dynamically change the corn industry. “While June may seem a ways away, registering now for CUTC provides an opportunity to save with valuable …

Jan. 17: The National Corn Growers Association’s annual Priority and Policy Conference wrapped up yesterday in St. Louis, concluding a series of discussions on state and national priorities for 2015, NCGA policies and a keynote panel presentation on the future of the ethanol industry. This in-depth discussion, which was moderated by NCGA CEO Rick Tolman, began with presentations from American Coalition for Ethanol Executive Vice President Brian Jennings, Growth Energy …

Jan. 17: With less than two months until Commodity Classic convenes in San Antonio, Texas, growers are encouraged to take advantage of the lowest rate by registering before the early discount deadline of midnight Monday, Jan. 20. Registering early will save attendees up to $50. Hotels are currently available, but are booking up fast. For complete details and to take advantage of the early registration discount, register now and reserve …

Jan. 16: The National Corn Growers Association today thanked the thousands of corn farmers and their allies around the country who have submitted comments urging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to retract its proposed 10 percent cut in the amount of corn ethanol in the 2014 Renewable Fuel Standard. “We’ve seen a terrific grassroots response on behalf of our growers and our state affiliates, who have pulled out all …

Jan. 14: The National Corn Growers Association’s annual Priority and Policy Conference takes place this week in St. Louis, bringing farmer leaders from many corn states to begin the discussion of state and national priorities for the remainder of the 2014 fiscal year and to begin the 2015 fiscal year planning process. Together, these grower leaders will carefully assess NCGA’s policies on such subjects as biotechnology, ethanol, public policy and …

Jan. 13: The National Corn Growers Association’s annual report for the 2013 fiscal year is now available online. A printed copy of the report, which highlights the association’s achievements over the previous year and features current financial information, will also be sent to all active members and made available at upcoming meetings. Click here to view the full report. “While we accomplished so much in 2013, it …

Jan. 13: Popular morning show The Balancing Act, airing on Lifetime TV, once again welcomes CommonGround, the grassroots organization designed to get women talking about farming, to the show at 6 a.m. CST Tuesday, Jan. 14. Make sure to tune in as CommonGround Nebraska volunteer Dawn Caldwell explains why consumers can feel confident about how their food is grown and raised. This is the final segment in a …

Jan. 10: While average yield forecasts fell, U.S. farmers remain on course to produce a record corn crop according to U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates released today. Harvest projections were revised lower to 13.92 billion bushels as yield forecasts fell to 158.8 bushels per acre. Total production remained high as the projected acreage harvest rose by half of a million acres as farmers continued bringing in this year’s crop well …

Jan. 9: The National Corn Growers Association praised the introduction of bipartisan updated Trade Promotion Authority legislation today that will establish strong rules for trade negotiations and Congressional approval of trade pacts, to deliver trade agreements that boost U.S. exports and create American jobs. NCGA now urges Congress and the Administration to act swiftly to move the legislation forward. “We applaud the legislation introduced today as it would improve …

Jan. 9: Agriculture’s newest, most innovative products and services will be showcased at the What’s New sessions at the 2014 Commodity Classic. “If you’re coming to Commodity Classic hoping to learn and gain some new ideas to take back to your farm, you’ll want to mark your calendar for the What’s New sessions,” said Commodity Classic Co-Chairman Wyatt Whitford. “These sessions offer a sneak peek at the new technology …

A detailed statistical analysis released yesterday by the Renewable Fuel Association shows that erratic surge in prices for Renewable Identification Number credits in 2013 did not impact retail gasoline prices. This study, which was conducted by Informa Economics, demonstrates clearly how yet another argument used by those who oppose the Renewable Fuel Standard proves inaccurate when fully examined. “Changes in prices of renewable identification numbers did not cause …

Jan. 7: With temperatures dropping well below freezing and snow seen in unusual places, the “polar vortex” affecting much of the nation means farmers have to work extra hard to stay updated on what to expect while they prepare for planting. The NCGA-FMC Ag Weather Advisor, prepared by Blue Water Outlook, is a special free member benefit that can help growers stay a step ahead. “The weather that is …

Jan. 3: The National Corn Growers Association expressed its support for today’s announcement issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Inspection Service that it will move forward with the process to deregulate a specific set of genetically engineered corn and soybean plants resistant to specific herbicides, including one known as 2,4-D. The agency stated that it would move to the next step in its regulatory process on …

Jan. 2: The National Corn Growers Association welcomes Janelle Muehleisen, who joins the organization as a marketing administrative assistant in the St. Louis, Mo. office. Muehleisen, who recently served as the Public Relations and Communications Specialist for non-profit Paraquad, a Center for Independent Living, will support staff in projects related to membership, NASCAR and grassroots activism. “We are pleased that Janelle is joining our team, and we have already …